This is How We Crew It FSI Fundraising Campaign
Join the 6-7 Challenge! Make a recurring monthly donation of just $6.7 and help us reach our goal!
Good morning Franklin families,
This was a long week, full of celebration and deep sadness. From the high of receiving our full EL credential to the shock and sadness of losing a student to the wonderful feeling of community during our Spring Fair yesterday, the week was a rollercoaster. As a leader I am arriving this morning with a need for time and space to process and reflect, so my comments this morning will be short. I appreciate the grace and understanding that at some level, we are all just muddling through, doing the best we can.
A huge thank you to our very hard-working Parent Crew and to all the staff members and students who helped make yesterday such a lovely celebration of our community. It was a joy to watch our students perform for a rapt audience – some for the first time in their lives. And an inspiration to see the creativity of our community on display throughout the day. As a bonus it was a successful fundraising event for our school! A lot of love, sweat and tears went into the smooth execution of the day. Thank you.
One last push – our general assembly returns for a short session this week. There is a LOT of action around the lack of support for our public schools. I can’t say this enough – public schools in NC are facing a financial crisis. Let’s make sure our voices are heard! This isn’t about politics. It’s about our children’s fundamental and constitutionally-guaranteed right to an education. If you have already made calls – thank you! Make them again. And if this is a new area of action for you, welcome! It’s not hard. Please make time to make calls. Choose one of the following talking points, pick up the phone, and speak!
- Pass Governor Stein’s Critical Needs. Our state is the ONLY state in the nation that has not passed a budget and it is hurting our children and our communities.
- My child attends a public school, like most other children in our state. Our state ranks 50th in public school funding. Our elected officials should be embarrassed to put our children dead last. Invest in their futures!
House Speaker Destin Hall
Phone: 919-733-3451
Email: Destin.Hall@ncleg.gov
Senate President: Phil Berger
Phone: (919) 733-5708
Email: Phil.Berger@ncleg.gov
Michael Lee, NC Senate Majority Leader
Phone: 919-715-2525
Email: Michael.Lee@ncleg.gov
As always, thank you for choosing Franklin and for partnering with us to prepare students for the futures they create. Our school is stronger with your participation.
Upcoming Events
Tues, April 21
- 4:15 pm: MS Soccer vs TLC @ FSI
- 6:00 pm: HS Girls Soccer vs Hendersonville @ FSI
Wed, April 22
- 4:30 pm: HS Ultimate Frisbee vs Asheville High @ FSI
Thurs, April 23
- 4:30 pm: HS Soccer vs ICI @ FSI
Fri, April 24
- 4:30 pm: HS Girls Soccer @ Asheville School
- 4:30 pm: HS Theatre presents Midsummer Nights Dream outdoor performance
Mark Your Calendars
Thursday, April 30, 5 – 7 pm: Night of the Arts
Come celebrate all the amazing artists in our school! Our Week of the Arts begins this Friday with the HS theatre class performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream (outdoors), and continues all next week, culminating in our Night of the Arts on Thursday. Join us to celebrate the artistic genius of our students!
- Visual Art Show on display (Apr. 28 – May 1)
- Music & Theatre performances
- Fine Arts Awards
Keep up with all our school events!
FSI Community Calendar – add our events to your google calendar
2025-2026 Yearlong Calendar – updated
Bolts Athletics
Thank you to everyone that participated in the 2nd Annual Bolts Pickleball Tournament. It was a capacity event and the competition was fiery and fun. It was great to see staff, parents and students competing and cheering each other on.
Congrats to the HS Division winners: Jacob Bieber and Logan Thomas
Congrats to the Adult Division winners: Team Collins that traveled from Bryson City to participate and support Bolts Athletics!
HS girls soccer went 1-0-1 on the week. The Bolts tied Mount Pisgah in a conference match up early in the week. E. Telford recorded another hat trick!
The Bolts defeated Asheville School (JV)
4-2. Goals were scored by E. Telford (2) and Ve. Malyk and E. Cruz-Macey each with 1 goal.
Sponsorship Banners to Support Bolts Athletics
Do you have a business or know of a business that would be interested in purchasing a sponsorship package that supports the Athletics Program? It is great advertisement for a business as the business name and logo will be displayed on banners in the gym and/or field depending on what package is purchased.
Sponsorship Levels:
Thunder ($500): 1 Banner displayed in either the gym or field area (your choice)
Lightning ($800): 2 Banners. One banner displayed in the gym and one in the field area.
Bolt ($1,000): Includes everything in the Lightning package plus logo displayed on printed materials (game programs and possibly team gear (practice and travel gear).
Banners are 72×24 inches and will be displayed for one full year with an opportunity to renew. Please contact Coach Burke (Athletic Director) for more information or questions. kburke@thefsi.us
Parent Crew
Our amazing Parent Crew is not taking off even one minute! They are back in action for next week’s Night of the Arts with a concession stand, all proceeds will go towards staff appreciation events. We need just a few volunteers to help!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090848A5AA22ABFF2-63070047-night
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
You can find our menus online: https://www.franklinschoolofinnovation.org/parents/nutrition/
Middle School Student Council Executive Committee
Middle School Student Council Executive Committee will meet this Wednesday during both lunch and recess. We have a lot to do to plan a few more fundraisers and a year-end “Lock In”! If your student is a class rep or elected officer, please remind them of their leadership responsibilities.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Fun news! FSI Student Brody LaCkore will be performing the National Anthem for Asheville Tourists Opening Night – April 21. Head on over to the field formerly and historically known as McCormick Field for some great family fun! Make sure to get there on time to cheer him on.
Bolts Summer Sports Camps
We are excited to announce our summer sports camps! Featuring multi-sports training with amazing facilities and coaches. Learn and experience a variety of sports and have fun! Directed by Coach Burke and Coach Ron Scott
5th-8th grades
- June 15-19 and/or June 22-26
- 9:00am-1:00pm
- $125 per week
Email for more information:
Register Here: Bolts Summer Sports Camps
Volunteers needed to help proctor AP exams
We are in need of community members to help with proctoring AP exams. AP Exam Proctor Community Volunteer Have questions? Contact Chelsea Curtis at ccurtis@thefsi.us
FSI Junior/Senior Prom 2026: May 2, 7 – 10 pm
Step into the mystery of Midnight Masquerade and celebrate a magical evening of music, dancing, and unforgettable memories. Enjoy refreshments, snacks, and fun times with friends. Prom is Saturday, May 2nd from 7-10pm at The Venue in downtown Asheville. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased in person and online starting March 27th. Use this link to purchase tickets online. After April 26 tickets are $45 and available only in person. Tickets will be available at the door on prom night for $45. To invite a non-FSI guest you need to complete this form and return to Ms Gretchen before April 27th. Questions? Contact gkehrberg@thefsi.us.
Reminders
Summer Driver Education Class
We are pleased to announce that we will host a summer driver education class at FSI. The class is provided by an instructor from Mountain Professionals Driving School. Our role is to provide the space and to share the information with our families.
The class is scheduled for the following days: July 9 and July 13-17, 9-3 pm The class is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The following are requirements and rules from Mountain Professionals. There are no exceptions:
- Students must attend all 5 days for the full time (9 – 3 pm)
- Students must be aged 14 1/2 (and under age 18) to attend
- There are no refunds once you have registered – no exceptions for vacations or illness or change of plans
- This is the education portion of the class. Students will schedule the driving portion with Mountain Professionals after they have passed this portion of the class
Register here: https://www.mtnpro.com/fsiform.
Substitute Teachers Needed!
As we enter Quarter 4, we have a true need for substitute teachers. Many of our teachers are entitled to days off but are reluctant to take them if they don’t have good coverage lined up! Substitute teachers are increasingly difficult to find. Across the state, schools are filling temporary positions or vacancies with people who used to serve as substitutes. You do not need a teaching certificate. You do need a love for students and a flexible open mindset! Cover letter and resume to jobs@thefsi.us
We are posting positions for the 2026-2027 school year on our website. If you know an excellent teacher who would be a good fit for our school, let us know! We will reach out and invite them to apply if we have a position available.
FSI Business Directory – submit your business to be included
We are compiling a directory of our family owned businesses. If you would like to be included in the directory, submit your business information here. The directory will be available on our website and in the newsletter. Let’s keep it local!
Free Resources for Resilience Community Events
Passing this along from our friends at Resources for Resilience!
Resources For Resilience is an Asheville-based nonprofit sharing practical tools and educational trainings to help individuals and teams manage stress and prevent burnout in themselves and others. They are currently offering FREE programming for WNC residents and professionals, now through June. Many of our offerings also include CEU professional credit through Area L AHEC! Space is limited for these no-cost opportunities, so interested participants are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. Learn more here: https://conta.cc/3NBqYiU
Order Your Yearbooks & Ads
The 2025-2026 Yearbooks are on sale! Purchase via this link
Parents/Guardians of Seniors and 8th Grade Students can purchase ads to be featured in the back of the yearbook – just click this link to create your ad!
Who Do I Go To When….
Whether you are new to FSI or returning, we know you have questions and want to help you find the best answers! This handy guide can help you connect. We do our best to respond to questions within 24 hours. We do not expect school staff to respond outside of school hours. Click here to access the guide: Who do I go to when…
